Associated PressKareem Jackson may be knocking on the door of the first round in next month's NFL draft.Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson's NFL draft stock has risen steadily since he posted a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Count ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay among the believers.

McShay, who held a teleconference with media members on Thursday, rates the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Jackson as the third best cornerback in the draft behind Florida's Joe Haden and Boise State's Kyle Wilson and believes Jackson may have pushed himself into the first round.

"He might be the most underrated player in the entire draft right now," McShay said. "For some reason, people have not caught on to him. He's about as good as Wilson, he should go in the top 25 picks and he has a chance to make an immediate impact coming from Nick Saban's system."

Haden, who had run poor times at the combine, solidified his stature as the draft's top corner by posting 40 times between 4.39 and 4.45 at Florida's recent pro day.

Tim Tebow also turned heads in Gainesville, showing off a quickened release in hopes of answering some of his critics and pushing himself into the top two rounds of the draft. McShay said he was impressed with how far Tebow has come, but still isn't convinced he'll go before the third round.

"I thought he aced the test. I don't think you can do a better job in a five-week span of bascially retooling your entire mechanics as a passer," McShay said. "I think you have to keep it in perspective. ... You know he's a work in progress.

"As much as I love him from an intangible, toughness and character standpoint, I've got to draft in the first two rounds players who can start and hopefully make an impact right away. He's not ready. He's going to need two, maybe three, years of developing. When you get into the third round, fourth round, that's where I think he's worth it as a developmental project."

Although Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody answered some questions about his weight by coming into the TIde's pro day at 349 pounds, McShay said those questions will linger.

"If you draft Terrence Cody, you've got to have a plan to keep him motivated, keep him in shape," McShay said. "He's phenomenally gifted, but the weight fluctuates and he didn't always play to the level he should have.

"I do think he'll go in the second round. There are too many teams looking for 3-4 nose tackles."

As for the Gulf Coast's NFL team, the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, McShay said he believes there will be several high-value defensive players available for their pick at No. 32.

"The teams at the final four or five (slots) can just sit back there and wait for the teams that are pressing, wait for them to make mistakes," McShay said. "With so much depth on the defensive side, somebody's going to fall to them. ... I think in the front seven, somebody's got to fall."

McShay's take on some other top NFL draft hopefuls:

Alabama LB Rolando McClain-- "There are more and more questions about his speed and about his (recently revealed Crohn's disease). Even if he drops a little bit, he's going to step right in and be a starter somewhere."

Texas QB Colt McCoy -- "As much as I love him, I think he's overrated and I think he's going to have a big shock when he gets to the next level."

Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen --"The bottom line is, there are at least 10 different teams I've talked to that have concerns about the intangibles and the leadership."

Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant --"There hasn't been a receiver as talented as him since (Detroit's) Calvin Johnson," McShay said, but added that his off-the field baggage may push him down many draft boards. "There's a real good chance that he doesn't go in the top 10, 11 spots."

Florida LB Brandon Spikes, who didn't break 5-flat in the 40 at the Gators' pro day -- "I still think he's a real good football player. Whether he drops to the second round or the third round, I think a team is going to get a really good value."